ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a well-known neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the general population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, and alcohol abuse) and significant emotional, social, and occupational impairments.
Psychotherapy and medication are both effective treatments for adults suffering from ADHD. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are among the most frequently prescribed medications.
Medications
Many people with ADHD notice significant improvements in their symptoms as well as functioning when they take medication. It is crucial that people who suffer from ADHD find the combination of medications that works for them.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed medication for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid form, and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Some adults supplement an immediate-release dose with an extended-release or long-acting medicine that is taken daily to decrease the need for frequent dosing throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can be treated successfully with antidepressants like desipramine. This class of drugs can be used alone or in conjunction with stimulants to increase their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious adverse consequences, like rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Adults suffering from ADHD can also be treated using alprazolam or clonidine. They are both Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications, originally developed to treat high blood pressure, can have the ability to calm and improve focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity in certain adults. However, these medications can cause a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly stopped or reduced in dosage.
Psychotherapy is also beneficial for adults with ADHD. Individual therapy can help those with ADHD overcome feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors, and family members that may criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples with ADHD improve their understanding of each other and improve their communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by educating people on strategies and skills. Psychotherapy can also aid those who suffer from ADHD overcome low self-esteem and feeling of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that create difficulties in their lives and to discover new ways of thinking, feeling and doing. This short-term, goal-oriented type of psychotherapy has been proven to be effective for a variety of conditions, including depression and anxiety. It can be used alone or in combination with other therapies.
CBT could involve group therapy, which can be particularly helpful for adults with ADHD because it gives the opportunity to interact with other people who are facing similar issues and learn how other people manage their ADHD symptoms. CBT can be offered in person or via the phone. One study compared the effects of CBT in comparison to traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report measures of functioning, symptoms, and quality of life.
CBT has been compared with other psychosocial treatments in adults with ADHD. All of these studies demonstrate significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and effects, with sizes between medium and large. These improvements were associated with a variety modalities including cognitive and interpersonal therapy as well as social skills training, problem solving training, and mindfulness meditation.
It is essential to assess the efficacy between different treatment options for adults with ADHD with caution. It is possible that the differences in the outcomes result from a variety of factors, including the treatment features and the methods employed. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, a technique that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap when performing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain where there is too much or too little activity, and instructing the individual to control these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD also have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders that need treatment. Counseling can help with these issues, which may be contributing to the ADHD symptoms. Certain psychotherapy methods include the use of interpersonal therapy to improve the ability of a person to form meaningful relationships and to resolve conflicts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to transform negative behaviors and help manage self-destructive and impulsive behaviors which can lead to issues at school or work.
In certain cases, psychotherapy is utilized as an adjunct to medications for adult adhd in adults treatment. Patients with comorbid disorders like bipolar disorder, and substance abuse need to be evaluated carefully to make sure they don't suffer from symptoms that aren't ameliorated by the medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning, and a history of seizures, should be treated more aggressively.
If ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning intensive outpatient programs could be suggested. These programs provide an organized treatment that is more intense than traditional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, assists adults suffering from ADHD to improve their ability to manage time and impulse control, as well as planning and executive functioning. It teaches them to recognize and express emotions, and it uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons interesting. Mindfulness meditation training enhances CBT, and it improves the ability of a person to concentrate and manage their emotions. It also enhances an individual's ability to handle stress and arousal. It can help them cope with sadness, anger and other emotional issues that could be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD often report difficulty functioning at home and at work. In addition to affecting work performance, these issues can interfere with relationships and could lead to financial difficulties. Therapy that addresses these issues can help you build confidence in yourself and solve the underlying issues. It can also help you develop healthy coping strategies.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults suffering from ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It is focused on teaching you how to employ strategies for managing time and overcoming mental distortions that lead to negative moods and the perception of limited choices.
Many people with ADHD suffer from anxiety or depression disorders that are comorbid. These psychiatric disorders can diminish or increase the effectiveness of certain medications that are used to treat ADHD. It is recommended to treat the most severe comorbidity and then monitor the reaction to the medication prior treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can help you organize your life and work, establish predictable routines to manage your money and time and create an optimistic image of yourself. It can help you master ways to relax that could reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Similarly, yoga and other exercise can aid in improving your focus by stabilizing the body in different postures.
Marriage and family counseling can help adults with ADHD to solve the problems they create for their children, spouses and friends. They often complain about being unreliable and disorganized. They are also prone to forget things or make decisions impulsively. Therapy and classes in which spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop more harmonious relationships. adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment can aid you and your family members realize that the problems are caused by ADHD instead of a lack in caring or an unwillingness to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is highly prevalent. It is accompanied by a high rate of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. Psychosocial and medication interventions are available as treatments. There are many medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Some of these medications have been evaluated in clinical trials. These studies have revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the various medications.
Adults suffering from ADHD have the same symptoms as children, however it isn't always easy to identify them since childhood symptoms may not persist throughout adulthood. Adults suffering from ADHD might not have an ancestral history of the disorder, or may not remember symptoms. It is important to have a thorough medical history in order to determine whether the symptoms are related to an illness such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea or hearing and vision problems.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants are the most effective medications for adults suffering from ADHD, and their responsiveness rates are in the 70%-80 percentage range. The most commonly used stimulants are amphetamine and methylphenidate compounds. Methylphenidate is also accessible in a transdermal system, which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults with ADHD can take nonstimulant medications that act on norepinephrine or dopamine. Desipramine, which is the most researched tricyclic, has been proven to be effective in adult ADHD patients. It is a low dose drug and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a second antidepressant that has been proven to be effective in adults suffering from ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and is able to block the reuptake process of norepinephrine by the presynaptic receptor, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. This drug has been shown to improve mood and decrease hyperactivity in adults. However, it is not as effective as stimulants in improving cognitive performance or concentration.